Understanding Your Butter: Is Kirkland Organic Butter Grass-Fed?

October 2, 2025 •

4 min read

While the market for organic products continues to expand, it's crucial for consumers to understand that not all certifications are created equal. The question, 'Is Kirkland organic butter grass-fed?', highlights a common misconception that organic automatically means grass-fed, requiring a closer look at Costco's product details.

Quick Summary

This guide explains the distinction between Kirkland's organic and grass-fed butters, detailing the certifications and sourcing for each. It clarifies why the organic label doesn't guarantee a grass-fed diet, helping you understand the nutritional implications and decide which butter is right for your diet.

Key Points

Not the Same Product: Kirkland offers two distinct products: one labeled 'Organic' and another labeled 'Grass-Fed'.
Organic Doesn't Guarantee Grass-Fed: Organic certification requires pasture access but allows significant grain supplementation, unlike a strict grass-fed diet.
Sourcing Matters: Kirkland's Grass-Fed butter is sourced from New Zealand, where cows are 95% grass-fed, while the organic butter may come from other farms.
Nutritional Superiority: Grass-fed butter has higher levels of Omega-3s, CLA, and beta-carotene compared to standard or organic grain-supplemented butter.
Look for the Gold: The deep golden color of grass-fed butter is a visual indicator of higher beta-carotene from the cows' grass-heavy diet.
Label Clarity is Key: Always read the product label carefully to confirm both 'organic' and 'grass-fed' claims, as they are not interchangeable.

Decoding Dairy Labels: Organic vs. Grass-Fed

Navigating the world of dairy products can be confusing, especially with the proliferation of labels like 'organic' and 'grass-fed.' While often perceived as interchangeable, they denote distinct farming practices and standards. Understanding these differences is the first step to answering the question: is Kirkland organic butter grass-fed?

What 'Certified Organic' Means for Dairy

Certified organic dairy products, including butter, are produced according to specific standards set by the USDA in the United States and similar bodies elsewhere.

Feed: Cows must consume food that is 100% organic, meaning it is grown without synthetic pesticides, fertilizers, or GMOs.
Living Conditions: Organic cows are required to have access to pasture for a minimum of 120 days a year and must get at least 30% of their diet from grazing during the grazing season.
Treatment: The use of growth hormones and antibiotics is strictly prohibited.

Crucially, while organic standards mandate some pasture access, they do not require a primarily grass-fed diet. Many large-scale organic dairy operations supplement their cows' diets with organic grain and corn, which are brought to the cows in confined areas.

What 'Grass-Fed' Means for Dairy

The term 'grass-fed' focuses on the animal's diet, though the regulations can be less stringent or vary globally. In the case of Kirkland's grass-fed butter, sourced from New Zealand, the cows are primarily pasture-fed.

Diet: The cows supplying Kirkland's grass-fed butter consume a diet of at least 95% grass, with supplementary feed being non-GMO.
Living Conditions: The cows are raised on farms where they graze on lush pastures.
Nutrition: A grass-based diet results in a richer nutritional profile for the milk, with higher levels of Omega-3 fatty acids, conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), and beta-carotene.

This is where the key difference lies. While Kirkland's organic butter comes from cows with some pasture access, its grass-fed butter comes from cows with a nearly exclusive grass and forage diet. Therefore, the answer is no, Kirkland organic butter is not the same as Kirkland's grass-fed butter.

Kirkland's Two Butter Products

Costco offers two distinct products that can cause confusion. Here's a breakdown based on available product information:

Kirkland Signature Organic Butter:

Made from pasteurized organic sweet cream.
Ingredients list indicates cream and natural flavoring (for unsalted) or cream and salt (for salted).
Follows USDA organic guidelines, which include limited pasture access but permit significant grain supplementation.
Typically paler in color due to a diet containing more grain.

Kirkland Signature Grass-Fed Butter:

Sourced from cows in New Zealand, where dairy farming practices differ.
Cows are 95% grass-fed, resulting in a distinct flavor and nutritional profile.
Has a deeper, golden-yellow color due to higher beta-carotene content from the grass diet.
Contains higher levels of beneficial Omega-3 fatty acids and CLA.
Marketed as a more affordable alternative to brands like Kerrygold.

Nutritional and Culinary Differences

The disparity in the cows' diets translates directly to the end product's characteristics. From a nutritional standpoint, grass-fed butter is superior due to its higher concentration of beneficial compounds.

Omega-3s: Grass-fed butter has a more favorable Omega-3 to Omega-6 ratio, which is better for cardiovascular health.
CLA: Conjugated Linoleic Acid levels are significantly higher in grass-fed dairy, with studies suggesting up to 500% more in milk fat from cows on a strict grass diet.
Vitamins: Grass-fed butter is a richer source of beta-carotene (which the body converts to vitamin A) and vitamin K2.

Culinary-wise, many enthusiasts note that grass-fed butter offers a richer, more complex flavor profile and a deeper golden hue. The texture can also differ, with grass-fed varieties often being creamier with a lower melting point.

Comparison: Kirkland Butters


Feature	Kirkland Signature Organic Butter	Kirkland Signature Grass-Fed Butter
Primary Diet	Organic feed (grain, forage, pasture)	At least 95% grass and forage
Sourcing	US & Canada (varies)	New Zealand (Westland Milk Products)
Nutritional Profile	Standard organic dairy, higher Omega-6s	Superior, higher Omega-3s, CLA, Beta-carotene
Color	Paler yellow or white	Deeper golden yellow
Taste	Mild, clean flavor	Richer, more complex, buttery flavor
Animal Welfare	Meets organic standards, some pasture access	Cows graze freely on pasture year-round
GMOs	Prohibited for feed	Banned in New Zealand dairy farming

Making an Informed Decision

For budget-conscious shoppers seeking a superior nutritional profile, Kirkland's grass-fed butter is the clear winner. The high standards of New Zealand dairy, combined with a diet of nearly all grass, create a product rich in beneficial fatty acids and vitamins. Its flavor and color are also widely praised.

However, if organic certification is your primary concern—ensuring no synthetic pesticides or hormones are used—then Kirkland's organic butter is a suitable choice, provided you accept that the cows' diet includes grain. This option is also a good middle-ground if grass-fed isn't available or affordable. Ultimately, the best choice depends on your priorities regarding nutritional density, taste, and farming practices.

Conclusion

The short answer to the question, 'Is Kirkland organic butter grass-fed?', is no. The two products are distinct, sourced differently, and produced under separate standards. Kirkland's organic butter follows strict organic guidelines, while its grass-fed butter emphasizes a predominantly grass-based diet, leading to different nutritional benefits and taste profiles. Understanding these label nuances empowers you to make a more informed choice that aligns with your dietary preferences and health goals.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, Kirkland's organic butter does not meet the high grass-fed standards of its separately-labeled product. While it comes from organic-certified cows with some pasture access, their diet includes grain, unlike the dedicated grass-fed version.

The main difference is the cows' diet. Kirkland's grass-fed butter comes from cows fed a diet of at least 95% grass, while the organic butter allows for supplemental organic grain feed.

Kirkland Signature Grass-Fed Butter is made by Westland Milk Products in New Zealand, where the cows graze on lush pastures.

From a nutritional standpoint, grass-fed butter is considered healthier due to its richer profile of beneficial fatty acids (Omega-3s and CLA) and vitamins (A and K2).

The deeper yellow color of grass-fed butter is caused by a higher concentration of beta-carotene, a nutrient that comes from the fresh grass the cows eat.

Yes, some butter brands are certified as both. However, this is not automatically the case. You must check the label for both 'organic' and 'grass-fed' certification to be sure.

Kirkland Signature Grass-Fed Butter is often praised as a good value, offering a premium grass-fed product at a lower price point than competing brands like Kerrygold.